Here we are in the familiar January thaw, honey bunch, but don’t get too comfortable in this “balmy” weather. The talking heads on the telly are saying things get back to normal by the time yew read this week’s missive. Effen you’ve put away yore scarves, yew’d better get ‘em outta storage.
Here in the Asylum by the Sea things are starting to take shape in the new administration as witnessed by the fack that Freddie Messore is back in City Hall and this time as the new commissar of development. The announcement was made this week, and it’s hoped that he can use his contacts – he’s built up quite a network over the years Iyam told – to help bring development back into the city.
Maybe he can start with Beach Street. That’s an area yew and I have been talking about for a couple o’ years and nothing much has happened. Last we hoid the state was gonna come in and raise the street level a few feet to help us when storms flood the roadway.
Maybe we’ll get some clarity on the Haven and a couple other projects hereabouts as well. And, of course, we can’t wait to find out whot Freddie’s thoughts are concerning the state’s push to try to build residential properties on or near railroad stations. That was a hot-button item under the former director, Joe Riccio, who was let go when the new administration came into office.
There’s no doubt that Messore knows the lay of the land probably better than many of the people we’ve had in there, but he’s been hired to put into effect the policy of the new administration. That is what Cobina is interested in: what herroner herself is thinking about and what she wants to accomplish along those lines.
When it comes to development, not a whole lot was said in the summer during the primary campaign, and not much was said during the general election campaign, mostly cuz the candidates were sniping at each other. I guess we’ll find out in March when the new administration announces its first budget. That’s like our “State of the City” address in many ways.
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Speaking of the Railroad Station, I see in the local papyrus that Michael Mercuriano is keeping on the backs of the DOT regarding the success or failure of said agency to effeck policies that help make the station a hub of commerce. Now Mikey and the DOT have been friendly enemies over the last few years. Whilst he was instrumental in the city getting the station, he blames state officials for not follying through with the full plans that were originally announced. Sammy Bluejay brought me the story cuz I hafta admit I don’t look at the local daily much anymore. For a gal on a fixed income the price of getting the papyrus is jest a little too rich for my blood.
Remember that station was supposed to be a hub-station to take the pressure off Union Station in New Haven and it was supposed to have a garage to take up the cars that were supposed to flood into the city. Things ain’t worked out quite that way. Mikey is convinced the DOT is not playing straight with the city and cutting corners that are affecting its use and “ridership.”
A café was supposed to be in the plan originally with the garage. The café was axed and the garage was sliced very soon after the station was open. That was the first major controversy. Others followed. The DOT was supposed to re-route bus traffic into the station to help commuters using mass transit. That finally happened.
The aforementioned idea to put residential buildings on or near stations up and down the Metro-North corridor was nixed by the General Assembly when they got wind the Malloy Administration was trying to slip one by in a larger plan. The idea has been resuscitated a couple o’ times, and still the state under the current governor won’t take no as no.
Sammy explained to me the most recent flap is that the snow that has been plowed from the parking area is piled in some of the spaces on site, rather than carted away. Mercuriano thinks that limits the ability of people to use the station. The DOT sez that the lot is only at 85 percent o’ capacity on the best days and the spaces used don’t affect the daily ridership.
Of course, what Mikey is really concerned about is the area around the station was supposed to be a hub of development as well as a hub of transportation. Businesses were supposed to start growing around the facility and it was gonna help the city. He still thinks the former Armstrong Building is gonna be a draw for other commerce…if only the state would cooperate.
This is gonna be an ongoing battle. Like much else, the getting of the station was one thing. The things that were supposed happen after are a new thing to fight for.
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Nelly Nuthatch tells me that a small phrase is a recent story concerning the city’s finances has more than raised a few eyebrows. Evidently honeybunch, when the former administration under Mayor O’Brien bonded to pay off the city’s deficit, a new board has got some kind o’ control over the purse. It’s called MARB, the Municipal Accountability Review Board.
This was a topic of conversation before the holidays effen the city took the $8 million from the state that was cut during the budget battle, but it sort o’ got lost in the translation when the bond isshew was discussed. Nelly talked with more than one politico and no one seems to remember the matter being brought up.
Needless to say there are members of the City Council who are flummoxed by the turn of events, and queries are being asked in the Actors Colony. Amongst those queries are the extent and power that MARB might have, and how much control does it git to exert in day-to-day affairs? Evidently, a lot according to herroner in a colyume this week.
And, of course, we still don’t know effen the amount of kopecks the city bonded for will cover the shortfall – if any – of the last budget. The audit hadn’t been issued to my recollection, and effen it had we’d o’ heard it by now. That was a query the body had at one o’ its fall meetings: the city bonding for deficit reduction but then getting right behind that eight-ball again with a shortfall in last year’s plan.
It’s amazing how things work around here sometime. How did this little venture get under the radar?
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Iva Lootey informs me that things are moving along in the Fourth District for the primary that will be held in March. As I told yew last week, the Democratic Town Committee had no challenges in nine of the 10 districks, with the fourth as the only one up for grabs. That was a combo of resignations, movings and other things.
Well dontcha know that this primary is kind of the epicenter o’ who’s gonna control the DTC over the next two years. It seems that the winner of this primary will determine the balance of power and, more importantly, who is the chairman. James Morrissey is the current chairman, and he ain’t exactly on the Christmas Card list of the current people in power.
Sooooo, we shall see what’s going on in the party and how things shake out. The candidates are getting their petitions circulated and it’ll probably cost a few dollars to put this thing on. Iva laughingly said that with the turnout they could have the primary in a phone booth. I quickly reminded him that phone booths are not so common anymore.
This should be an interesting sidebar to what goes on in the city if only cuz it does continue the intramural fighting going on in the city’s majority party.
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close mitt luff und kizzez,